Karen Brown
Elaine Mary Wink Johnston, lovingly known as Wink Chapman, was born in 1963 in Buffalo, New York, to English/American parents. Her family moved to California when she was six, where she spent the remainder of her life building a vibrant career.
Wink was a proud graduate of Don’s Beauty School, where she completed her cosmetology training and went on to become a highly successful salon owner. She operated two salons in the San Francisco Bay Area, including her most recent venture, Tonic in Belmont. Built from the ground up through her dedication and vision, Tonic continues to thrive and has been recognized as one of the Top 3 Businesses in Belmont.
Talented and multifaceted, Wink played the cello in her younger years, as well as sang an a cappella version of Olivia Newton John’s “B17”. She traveled the world, embraced new experiences, and left a meaningful impact on the many people she met throughout her life. More recently, she played golf, and she found joy dancing, attending courses at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, where she earned distinction as Best in the Newcomers Division.
Wink is survived by her sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends who will miss her deeply. Although words in an obituary will never capture the experience of knowing Wink, her warmth, creativity, humour and lively spirit will be remembered always.
